Greatly admired by God

Turn with me to Isaiah 43 and let's read verses 1 to 4 together…

This is probably one of the most encouraging passages of scripture in the whole Bible. It vividly expresses the deep and profound love which the Lord has for all His people. Notice the wonderful statement, “I have called you by your name; you are Mine!” Another translation says, “I have claimed you; you are Mine!” God can legally claim us as His own because He was prepared to send Jesus to pay ‘the price’ in order to secure our redemption. Notice how God emphasises that we are ‘precious in His sight’, ‘honoured’ and ‘loved’.

What’s more, through the prophet Amos, the Lord declared, “All the gentiles who are called by My name” will be part of the restoration of the Tabernacle of David [Amos 9:10-11; Acts 15:17]. Amos forecast the global body of Christ becoming united in serving God in this prophecy. And according to ancient Hebrew custom, to be called by the name of anyone is to be regarded as a son or daughter. Therefore, it must also refer to all those who are to be included in the dynasty of David and considered children of God. Such unique people are to become a select community who have been given the ability to partake of the same divine Spirit. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” [Romans 8:14].

Exodus 31:7 declares, “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him - He is mine!”

We were created for God's glory. We were formed by Him and made by Him! He always knew us – even when we were in our sin! Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” God has always known us by name [intimately], and our destiny has already been mapped out according to His good pleasure!

What every believer should take comfort in is the fact that God 'knows' us intimately. That He is on first name terms with us! The Psalmist had revelation of this, and in Psalm 139 we hear him crying out to God saying, “For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret... Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And the days fashioned for me were all written in Your book.”

What’s more, Romans 8:29-30 tells us that God fore knew us. In other words, He knew us even before we were being formed. It also says that we were called according to His design and purpose, and predestined to be conformed to the likeness of God's Son! But verse 31 ties it up nicely, and goes on to say, “What then shall we say to all of this,” or “in response to this?” To what? To everything that God has planned before hand and predestined! “…If God be for us, who can be against us?” Who would dare touch God's children – those He has called by name!

We are God's children – God's elect – called by His name. We have been chosen according to the fore-knowledge of our heavenly Father, through the justifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood [1 Peter 1:2], to be overcomers in this life! Why? Quite simply, because He LOVED us! Not only that because He still loves us and admires us. We are the apple of His eye!

Twice in the opening passage of the Book of Ephesians it mentions the “good pleasure” which God Himself experienced as He secured our redemption in Christ. When we became sons and daughters of the Most High God, and were called by His Name, God the Father must have been overjoyed with delight. Right from the beginning of time, in eternity past, God has admired His most precious creation. But this love and admiration was not a corporate thing, for He loves every one of His children individually – He has called each of them by name!

If your sense of belonging has never been satisfied, it is either because you do not know God, or if you do, you do not know how much He values you. In fact, God admires you all day!

“Admire” – means to regard with delight and affection.

Chris Demetriou, 10/12/2006